At the beginning of this century, a parent tried to get me fired for declining to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Before it got to that point, we had a phone conversation (in compliance with our handbook which cited Matthew 18:15) which I'd believed settled things. As we concluded, I said I'd love to talk more as time permits. He said he'd be up for that so long as it was “in the right spirit." I realized then that I had very little control over what spirit (or attitude) he sensed in anything I did or said. He was done submitting to conversation as equals. While pursuing his case against me, he would not agree to speak with me about the thing I didn’t do that bothered him again. Meaning, I came to understand, is a consensual activity. I had more than one superior who was committed to protecting me, and I kept my job. I know that millions of people around the world who are targeted by those who hope to bring them down do not have that advantage.
I used to hear people say "the devil's in the details.". Maybe everything is in the details. I'm really bad at repentance. But deep down I know the only hope I have is a Saviour who knows me completely and holds onto me like a bulldog with really good teeth. That gives me hope.
There is a way out of this but it involves a much closer proximity to the ground and a willingness to not confuse meekness - personal, humbled, sincere meekness - to weakness.
“ At the beginning of this century, a parent tried to get me fired for declining to say the Pledge of Allegiance. ”
They are aware of this little document called the Emancipation Proclamation?
Of course they are. That’s why they are mad in the first place.
I used to hear people say "the devil's in the details.". Maybe everything is in the details. I'm really bad at repentance. But deep down I know the only hope I have is a Saviour who knows me completely and holds onto me like a bulldog with really good teeth. That gives me hope.
There is a way out of this but it involves a much closer proximity to the ground and a willingness to not confuse meekness - personal, humbled, sincere meekness - to weakness.
“Meaning, I came to understand, is a consensual activity.” Yup.